How to cycle batteries

[toughtrax1]

Hey guys I'm looking at finding a way that you can cycle batteries with out haveing the feature on my charger. Also is there any benefit to cycle packs now a days since the techknowledge is getting better with them or do you still have to worry about it just as much? Also what would be a good charger that has that function on it, I'm looking at getting a couple new chargers and I would like that function but not looking at paying the price as of a Turbo 35. Thanks for any input.

[SS Pede]

You could buy a separate discharger. I have an Integy Reactor 20. Recently I've heard that NiMH cells like to be cycled periodically to keep them "awake" and in good condition. I haven't been into hobby grade R/C for too long, so I don't know if things were much different years ago.

[teenflon5]

Hey guys I'm looking at finding a way that you can cycle batteries with out haveing the feature on my charger. Also is there any benefit to cycle packs now a days since the techknowledge is getting better with them or do you still have to worry about it just as much? Also what would be a good charger that has that function on it, I'm looking at getting a couple new chargers and I would like that function but not looking at paying the price as of a Turbo 35. Thanks for any input.
What do you mean by cycle? If you mean constantly have a full battery it is adviasble that you don't use it for a long time as the resistor will overheat like mine. I have 2 batteries and one charger. while I play with one the other one charges. If you have enough money I would Buy 2 chargers and 3 batteries.

[guver]

If you don't want to use a charger that discharges then you can make or use a bulb discharger to dicharge at high rate.

[Gojira]

buy an mrc 969 , you can charge 2 six cell packs at like 2.5 amps with the supplied power supply or buy a stronger ps and charge 2 packs at 5 amps each at the same time and it has a discharger built in

[elcid4300]

If you are using your packs regularly and just for bashing then you don't really need to cycle them. Just make sure you run them until the vehicle slows. If you're putting the batteries away for the season, then it's not a bad idea to charge and discharge them maybe once every couple of weeks. You can build a cheap and effective bulb discharger like this one (http://www.balakracing.com/bulbdischarger.htm) and use it to discharge your batteries down to 5.4 volts for a six cell pack.